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VIDEO: Arsenal loanee gets four assists in 5-1 win

Joel Campbell played a decisive role in Olympiakos’ big win over OFI Crete on Sunday, setting up four of the five goals.

One area in which Arsenal will look to bolster their squad come the January transfer window is in attack, with the north London outfit lacking strength in depth up front.

Olivier Giroud is the club’s first-choice number nine, but with the fan-dividing Nicklas Bendtner and unproven Yaya Sanogo as Arsene Wenger’s back-ups, the Gunners may well dip into the transfer market in the new year.

However, one striker still on the Emirates Stadium books and keen to stake his claim for inclusion in the first-team squad in the future is Joel Campbell.

The Costa Rica international is spending the season on loan at Greek side Olympiakos, and is showing his class in Eastern Europe.

The 21-year-old put in a man-of-the-match performance for his side on Sunday, getting four assists in a 5-1 win over OTI Crete.

The Arsenal man displayed a great range of clever passing and excellent delivery from wide to allow his team-mates to get the goals to win the match.

Campbell will be looking to have a strong season on loan, and is building up his experience in Europe after temporary spells at Lorient and Real Betis in the past.

There is certainly a case for bringing Campbell into the Arsenal fold ahead of next season, as his situation recently changed.

The Central American was not granted a UK work permit after he signed for Arsenal from Saprissa back in 2011, but has since played enough international games to be granted one.

28 appearances for his national team has heralded eight goals, and Campbell is clearly getting good experience and regular playing time for loan club and country.

There is a case to suggest that the versatile attacker needs to add goals to his repertoire, as he has failed to deliver a consistent amount of goals since his move to Europe.

However, with a lack of viable options as back up to Giroud, Campbell’s continued growth elsewhere should be of real interest to Arsene Wenger and the north London club’s fanbase.

Gareth McKnight

I am a freelance football journalist from Northern Ireland, currently living and working from Broome in Western Australia. After a degree in sports journalism from the University of Stirling in Scotland, I started in the online football world and have worked for leading websites and media outlets since. My knowledge and passion is based around the Premier League and European football, but I also have a soft spot for the Australian A-League.